CRSS/WASR 1020 – Dam Assignment
In groups of 3-5 students, select a dam and/or reservoir for investigation.
1. Any dam in the world will do.
2. There are 86,000 in the US alone, so no excuses about not finding an
interesting one.
3. Be bold; select one from somewhere you've never heard of...
As a group, you will give a short (i.e., 5-10 minute) presentation on your dam to
the class on October 16. Please report the following back to the class:
1. The name, location, age, and owner of the dam (a map is always nice)
2. What is the general hydrologic setting (e.g., mountains of Georgia v.
Grand Canyon v. coastal plain farm pond)?
3. What are the socio-economic benefits provided by the dam (e.g., water
supply, irrigation, flood protection, hydropower, etc.)?
4. What are some of the ecological impacts of the dam?
5. Are there any controversies over the dam?
6. Speculate about the long-term (i.e., > 50 year) future of the dam. Will it
still be there? What would happen if it failed? Who will pay to maintain it?